Fusō Class

The Fusō was introduced during the First World War, and featured a unusual2-1-1-2 arrangement for its main guns. This arrangement made aiming of the middle guns difficult, but it resulted in a slimmer hull, allowing the Fusō to reach speeds of up to 30 MPH.

Kongō Class

Designed by Britain's Sir George Thurston, and entering service during the First World War, these were the first modern battlecruisers in the Imperial Navy. They are well armed, with large main and secondary batteries, and have recently received upgrades to their armor and engines. However, they are still not a match for modern battleships, though smaller surface ships have much to fear from them.

Akagi

The Akagi and the Kaga were the first large carriers to join the Imperial Fleet, and have had long and distinguished careers. Originally built as battlecruisers, they were remodelled as carriers in the aftermath of the Treaty of Washington, which explains their unusual appearance. The Akagi is currently the flagship of Vice-Admiral Nagumo's Carrier Striking Force.

Hiryu

The Soryu and her sister ship the Hiryu were commissioned by the IJN in 1937; the first large carriers to join the Imperial Fleet since Akagi and Kaga were commissioned in the late '20s. The two Soryu Class ships are commanded by Vice-Admiral Chuichi Nagumo. As with all Japanese fleet carriers, they have a large number of fighter and strike aircraft aboard.

Shoho Class

Originally designed with the adaptability to be completed as a high-speed oiler, submarine tender or a smaller aircraft carrier. The Shoho, along with her sister ship, the Zuiho were both completed as aircraft carriers, and they immediately joined the Combined Fleet. Armed with only a few guns and minor anti-air armament, they rely on their air wings and escorts as defense. Not completely designed as frontline warships, they are vulnerable and could be easily taken out with air or naval power.

Kuma Class

These light cruisers are rather long in the tooth now, having joined the IJN in the early 1920s. They are somewhat obsolete, and this is especially noticeable in the small number of AA guns they carry, which makes them particularly vulnerable to air attack. Nevertheless, the 5.5" guns they carry fire a heavier shell than the US 5" guns, and this gives them an edge in a fire fight with other destroyers or light cruisers. They also carry a good number of torpedo launchers for engaging larger ships.

Mogami Class

These heavy cruisers were built in the mid-1930s, and were in gross violation of the London Naval Treaty, which specified a maximum tonnage of 10,000 for any new heavy cruisers. They have recently been refitted with 8" guns, giving them a hefty broadside that is a threat to any ship smaller than a battleship. They also mount a very respectable AA battery, as well as two torpedo launchers on each side, making them versatile and powerful warships.

Takao Class

These heavy cruisers came into service in the early 1930s, but are still excellent examples of the type. Mounting ten 8" guns, they are more heavily armed than comparable US or British heavy cruisers, and compound this advantage with a large number of torpedo launchers, which give them the firepower to take down any adversary.

Fubuki Class

The Fubuki Class is seen as the first modern destroyer design. Entering service in 1928, her twin 5" mounts in enclosed turrets and triple torpedo launchers gave her firepower far in excess of any other ship her size at the time. Since then, other destroyer designs have arisen which are a match for the Fubuki Class, most notably the American Fletcher Class. Nevertheless, these ships are still versatile and useful, and their dual-purpose 5" guns give them a very potent defense against attacking aircraft.

Minekaze Class

These ships were among the first to be completely designed and built by the Japanese, instead of using foreign designs and manufacturers as they had done earlier. Entering the IJN as 'first-class destroyers', they are considerably outdated now, and have many shortcomings. These include the small number of 5" guns they carry, the fact that these guns are open mounts and have no armor protection, and very light AA armament. However, they do mount triple torpedo launchers, which make them a dangerous proposition for any large ship.

Aichi D3A 'Val'

This carrier-based dive bomber is known by the codename 'Val' to the Allies, while the Japanese Navy terms it the 'Navy Type 99 Carrier Bomber Model 11'. In service since 1939, it is easily recognisable through its fixed landing gear. It is a highly maneuverable and stable airplane; indeed, it is so agile that it can serve as a dogfighter if needs be. It is very popular with the pilots of the Kido Butai, and in training they have achieved dive-bombing accuracy statistics exceeding 80%.

Yokosuka D4Y 'Judy'

This carrier-borne dive bomber would be introduced in 1942, to replace the 'Val' on IJN carriers. Prototyped in 1938, the 'Suisei', or 'Comet', as it is known to the Japanese, is a very advanced design indeed. Its speed is comparable to the 'Zero' fighter, while its internal bomb-bay and retractable landing gear both make for excellent aerodynamics. Normal armament is a single 500kg bomb, though depth charges can also be carried for anti-submarine work.

Mitsubishi J2M 'Raiden'

The Raiden, or "Thunderbolt", was a single engine, land-based interceptor of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Designed to counter allied bombing raids, the Raiden is equipped with four heavy 20mm cannons, which are excellent against all kinds of enemy planes. As an interceptor the Raiden relies on speed, performance and climb rate to get in and out of air combat, but its maneuverability was not as good as contemporary Japanese fighters.

Nakajima J1N 'Gekko'

Originally designed to escort bombers as a long-range fighter capable of engaging single-engine fighters, the Gekko turned out to be too heavy for such a role, and was used as a reconnaissance plane first, and later converted to a night fighter. This twin-engine plane is a quick and agile fighter, best used to engage in head-to-head attacks, capable of quickly destroying unarmored planes, thanks to the powerful, nose-mounted 20mm cannons.

Nakajima Ki-43 'Oscar'

Where the 'Zero' serves the Japanese Navy in the fighter role, the Japanese Army has the 'Oscar'. Known as 'Hayabusa', or 'Peregrine Falcon', to its pilots, it is a modern fighter aircraft which only entered production in 1941. Although slightly slower than the 'Zero', it has longer range, faster cruising speed and a higher ceiling, making it better suited to land-based operation. Its only shortcoming is its offensive armament; consisting of just two machine guns, it is considerably under-gunned when compared to other fighters.

Mitsubishi G3M 'Nell'

The first prototype for this twin-engined bomber flew in 1935, and it entered full production in 1936. Despite its age in comparison to other modern bombers it is considered an excellent aircraft, and is particularly notable for its long range. It was the first plane to conduct a transoceanic attack when it was used to bomb mainland China during the Sino-Japanese War. However, it carries very little defensive armament, and is vulnerable to attack by fighter aircraft.

Mitsubishi G4M 'Betty'

Known to the Allies by the call-sign 'Betty', Japanese servicemen nicknamed it the 'Hamaki', or 'Cigar', thanks to its cylindrical shape. It was commissioned in 1937, following the successful deployment of its predecessor, the 'Nell', in China. Very high specifications were set for the 'Betty' in terms of top speed, altitude and range, and the result was an aircraft with very good performance. However, to achieve these specifications, it was necessary to make the plane very lightly armored, making it vulnerable to enemy fire.

Type 'A' Target Midget Submarine

The Type 'A' Target Midget Submarine is a top-secret Japanese weapon. Codenamed the 'Ko-hyoteki' and built in 1938, its small size allows it to creep into enemy harbors to attack ships at anchor. This is something that would be difficult or impossible for a normal-sized submarine thanks to the shallow waters of most harbors. Armed with two torpedoes, and manned by a crew of two, this craft is potentially devastating in its dedicated role but virtually useless for any other kind of task.

Nakajima B5N 'Kate'

Known to the Japanese as the 'Type 97 Carrier Attack Bomber', this plane has been in service with the IJN as a torpedo bomber since 1939. Like the British Swordfish and the American Devastator, it is now considered obsolete, and is due to be replaced by the B6N. It has seen combat in the Sino-Japanese War, where it was found to be slow and poorly protected, and has received an engine modification as a result. It is primarily used as a torpedo bomber, but can also be equipped with a bomb load as well.

Nakajima B6N 'Jill'

The B6N Jill is the standard carrier-borne torpedo bomber for the Imperial Japanese Navy, replacing the old B5N Kate torpedo bombers. These planes are an upgrade over the Kates, with a larger, more powerful engine and longer range while still being capable of carrying the same torpedo or bomb load. Armor is only marginally upgraded, so the Jill is still vulnerable to AA fire and enemy fighters. Counterpart to the TBF Avenger of the US Navy, this plane has a slight edge over the Avenger in terms of top speed and maneuverability.